Mouse Wrist Support Tutorial

Ok, so I'm pretty sure I have my wrist support upside down in the photo. Please forgive me. I've actually been using a pair of socks rolled up for my wrist support for quite a while. So, I'm still new to this. Anyway, if you use a computer quite a bit you need some kind of wrist support or your wrist will get really sore like mine.

Here's how I made mine. You may want to make a removable cover to go over this also.

1. Gather your supplies: fabric, scissors, needle, thread, and lintels.

2. Cut 2 identical bean shapes out of your fabric (mine is about 8 inches by 5 inches).

3. Place wrong sides out and sew all along the edge, leaving a little opening for filling. I used my sewing machine. Cut notches.

4. Turn right side out. Fill with lintels. I used a piece of paper like a funnel to fill mine.

5. Sew up the opening.

6. Use the other way... I think. Whatever is comfortable I guess! :)

Leprechaun Loot Treasure Hunt

Last Saint Patrick's Day our 5-year-old had such a fun day at preschool that he talked about it forever! They did some special activities... not exactly sure what they were. He told me bits and pieces. It involved some silly leprechauns playing tricks on them and ended in finding some yummy treats.

So, this year I want to do something special for him. I made this little "leprechaun loot" treasure hunt. He loves this kind of thing right now so I think it'll be a lot of fun. Here's a free download for you to enjoy too!

Have a nice weekend and don't forget to wear green Saturday!

Meal for a New Mom

There are always people I'd like to bring meals to... sick people, new moms, and others with a lot on their plate. But, when I say I'm going to bring a meal I feel pressure to make something really nice. I end up spending a lot of money on it and get overwhelmed making it "perfect".

So, to simplify I put together this little meal... Bear Creek soup mix (creamy potato and cheddar broccoli are the best), rice crispy treats, fresh fruit, and rolls (I made them from scratch this time). I'm calling this my new favorite "drop and go" meal because you don't have to call ahead to let them know you are bringing it and can even leave it in a gift bag on the door knob if they're not home.

Quick and Easy Rolls

I did it! I made rolls from SCRATCH... not Rhodes! Guess what? It was easy. Seriously easy. Here's the recipe.

I watched my mom make bread growing up. In my mind making bread takes all day. Also, it uses yeast, a living thing that bubbles and has to be used in a very particular way. Plus, kneading it just right and making a big mess. I was wrong! Making breads can be fast and easy, with the right recipe.

My friend Sarah, the culinary expert, challenged me to make these rolls. They turned out pretty good, especially considering I've never made bread and I didn't allow the yeast mixture to sit for the full 15 minutes. I heard the beep of the timer but turned out it was the oven preheat timer, not the other timer... oops!

There are definitely things I need to learn still. They don't look quite right yet. But, now that I've taken the first step to overcoming my bread fear, I am open to trying other recipes. Maybe I'll find a good one that doesn't have eggs so my 2-year old can try them. But for now, I'm sticking to this one. Give it a try!

Butterfly Mobile

I got the supplies for this project... embroidery hoops from the thrift store, strips of white fabric to cover them with, kite string, die-cut butterflies, and a glue gun. Then I turned it over to my friend Sarah to work her magic.

Didn't it turn out lovely? Right after I hung it my husband said it's like it raining in the nursery. The baby loves to look at it move when the heater comes on.

Here's a little close-up. It's so hard to capture how cool this is.

I added these ones to the wall behind the crib to make it even more of a focal point. I just rolled a little masking tape up and stuck to the middle of the butterfly die-cuts. Then, folded the wings up so they look like they are flying up the wall.

Here is a better photo by the same talented photographer friend who made the mobile, Sarah.

DIY Crib Bumper

I realize I kind of left you hanging on the nursery. Sorry. I hope to post the last few pictures over the next week. This is one of the first projects we did for the nursery. After we put the crib together and washed the bedding, we decided we needed to switch up the bumper... very boy, as you can see.

BEFORE

AFTER

Lucky for me I have an awesome sister-in-law that can sew like nobody's business. She came over to help me with the nursery one day and made this transformation. I love it! One thing we didn't consider is the cars/planes pattern shows through a little. But, it's hardly noticeable. The nice part is it was sort of made as a slip cover and can be removed pretty easily by unpicking a few stitches.

Egg-Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins

I made these muffins for some ladies in my neighborhood. I wanted to drop something off to let them know I was thinking of them. But, I didn't want to go to the store. So, I made these using ingredients I already had and wrapped them with things I had as well... scraps of fabric, paper doilies, and ribbon. I slipped the doilies under the ribbon after I had already snapped this picture.

Egg-Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins
from: Jodee Parkin

1 c. sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice (I didn't have any and they were still good)
1 c. applesauce
1/2 c. oil
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Add wet ingredients. Mix. Make at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes in muffin tins.

TIP: Use an ice cream scoop to get even amounts of dough in each. This helps them to cook at the same rate.

Kid's Activities

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. My goal is to figure out how to take care of me, my family, and my other responsibilities too. I don't have all the answers yet but I am figuring a few things out. So, I'll be sharing ideas as they come to me.

The first thing that has helped me take care of myself is...Make time each day to do an activity with my kids! Surprised? This is something I have been wanting to do but until now haven't been very consistent with.

Oreo Spiders: Use what you have and like. Rather than buying black licorice whips, we cut chocolate licorice into strips. This idea came from my Pinterest.

Cardboard Airplanes: You can make so much with cardboard! We made an airport to go with these. We have also made cars to "drive".

Cereal necklaces: We made these with things we had around the house. It's a fun way to practice patterns too.

Forts: These were a favorite of mine growing up. Having the kids help with clean-up is important. Mine enjoy learning how to fold blankets as a team.

Homemade donuts: These are super easy! Cut holes out of biscuits from the store (the ones in the tube), deep fry them, place them on paper towels, and coat them with powdered sugar.

What I do: After lunch each day we clean up together. Then, we do an activity together. Above are some of the ones I've taken photos of. Others we have done are: having a snowball fight & building a snowman, making mini pizzas, making cars out of apples & grapes (from my Pinterest), and the current favorite is making maps to find "treasure" around the house. Here are some more I want to try.

Results: I feel less guilty when I take time for my myself because I know I have time set aside for the kids too. Also, the kids aren't always nagging me to let them watch t.v. (they aren't as bored). Another benefit is FUN and learning together.

One challenge I sometimes have is keeping the activities simple and within the given timeframe (so they don't eat up the whole day). I keep reminding myself that it doesn't have to be fancy or elaborate. Some of our favorite activities were impromptu ideas that use things we already had.

I think it's my 5-year-old's favorite time of day. Everyday he asks, "What activity are we doing today, Mom?"

Pinterest!

Guess what?! I've decided to join Pinterest. It's so much fun! What a great way to organize my inspiration.

That being said, I will try to make this blog mostly my own projects and keep my inspiration there. If you'd like to check out my pin board go here.

Also, a little favor... if you liked the little paper bag gift garland the kiddos and I made for Valentine's day and you are on Pinterest, please re-pin it here. It could help me win a trial membership to a fun kid's craft club and a $100 visa gift card. :)

Valentine's Gift Garland

One thing I have been working on a lot lately is setting aside special time with the boys. Each day after lunch we do an activity. I will be posting some of our ideas soon.

First, here is a gift garland we made for my hubby. This would be a fun tradition for any holiday. Each bag has a Valentine and treat inside... one for each of us to spell LOVE.

Here's how we did it...

1. Gather your supplies. I used ribbon too.

2. Make and decorate some cards.

3. Decorate your paper bags

4. Place your treats and cards inside the bags.

5. Fold the tops down, place ribbon at the top, and sew.

Love Yourself

Maybe you've noticed I haven't been blogging as much as usual? Probably not... but hey you deserve an explanation anyway because you are kind enough to stop by. Thank you!

Image from Katie Daisy

Anyway, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately... thinking that I've kind of lost myself a little. It has happened slowly, one child at a time, one diaper at a time. Maybe this happens to a lot of moms? You get so wrapped up in caring for these sweet little children that you forget about yourself. Not that it's always a bad thing.

However, lately I've come to a point where it's not good anymore. I don't love myself as much as I should. I feel like it's rubbing off on those I care about most. So, what happens next?

I'm putting myself in time-out for a little while. I am still going to care for those sweeties of course! But, I am also going to care for me. I am going to re-think how I am spending my time, money, thoughts, etc. I am going to figure out what I really want and need and how to take care of me and my family the best I can in the 24 hours I am given each day.

So, until I get it all sorted out, I may not blog as much as I used to. Don't feel bad. I'll be back now and then. Hopefully, when I am out of time-out I'll be better than ever before and a more consistent blogger. Please just be patient with me and give me a little time to sort it all out. Fair enough? What do you do to take care of yourself?

Peppermint Bark

Seems like I always have great ideas after Christmas for next year. I've been wanting to try making peppermint bark. Now I realize how easy it is! Here's Paula Deen's recipe.

The Earth Without Art...

Agreed. From Pintrest.

Quick & Easy Smoothies

Ok. Confession time... we got a blender as a wedding gift and I used it for the first time last week. Horrible huh? It was a combination of not having space for it in the kitchen and my husband hating smoothies and anything like them.

I love smoothies and now I'm hooked again. In fact I discovered a smoothie will usually curb my ice cream craving... who knew?

Anyway, long story short I am super excited to have discovered this awesome way to make quick and easy smoothies. You prepare most of the ingredients ahead of time. Go to the Lacy in Love blog to learn more.

Family Rules

This is what I made today, along with a chart for each boy where I can cross off lost privileges and tally time outs. Anyone interested in these icons as individual jpgs?

UPDATE: Thanks for your interest in the rules. Here is a link to the whole chart. Here are the individual jpgs: red talk nice, red treat, red mean words, red no treats, orange touch softly, orange be with others, orange mean touches, orange be alone, green talk it out, green be with others, green tantrums, green be alone, blue share, blue play with toys, blue take away, blue lose toys, purple lose tv, purple disobey, purple tv time, purple obey.